Veterans' Stand Down starts Saturday

Sophia Aldous

Volunteers help clear boxes and distribute items at the 2010 Tri-County Veterans' Stand Down on the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds.

To those who sport the “Support Our Troops” bumper stickers on their vehicles, here’s a great way to put words into action.
The 14th annual Tri-County Veterans Stand Down is looking for a few good volunteers to assist with the event that benefits those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their immediate family members.
This year’s Stand Down will be Saturday, Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept.18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds in Colville. A free lunch will be served both days.
Veterans are asked to bring their DD-214, Discharge, VA card or military identification.
“Unfortunately, because of funding cuts the women’s health bus won’t be able to make it, but the V.A. bus and the Sacred Heart Medical Center bus will be there,” says Stand Down chairman Larry Ussery.
Surplus clothing, coats, boots, shoes, sleeping bags, and blankets will be handed out during the Stand Down—as always.
How much the Stand Down receives is dependent on whatever the federal government sends and what is in Washington D.C. military warehouses.
Among the services that will be provided to veterans are Veteran’s Service officers from the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars, The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. Those representatives will be on site to help veterans and their spouses file for surviving spousal benefits, veterans benefits, veterans health care through the VA Hospital in Spokane and educational benefits either through the GI Bill or VA Vocational Rehabilitation.

Attend volunteer meeting Thursday

Spaghetti will be the main lunch course Saturday, followed by hamburgers and hotdogs on Sunday.
Volunteers are needed to help sort through items, including clothing, as well as helping with tear down and clean-up after the event. Donations of gently used, clean household goods are requested as well.
A volunteer meeting will take place Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at the food court on the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds (near the VFW hamburger booth).
And of course, monetary donations are never refused. The Tri-County Veterans’ Stand Down currently has a budget of $3,000. The average cost of facilitating the Stand Down is $9,000.
Last year, the Stand Down served over 1,500 veterans and their families.
There will also be VA staff to help veterans access the VA health system and to help qualified veterans access the County Veteran Relief Assistance Fund. In addition, the VA Mobile Clinic will be available with flu shots, along with staff members from the Veterans Unit of Colville WorkSource.
To find out more about the 2011 Stand Down, or to volunteer and/or donate, contact Ussery at 509-684-3398 or 509-680-3656.